She thought about adding another hobby, self-improvement, and maybe trying Pilates. Even though she loved him, she was in the midst of struggling not to live chasing only Kangwoo.

With wireless earphones in her ears, she concentrated on a video about character creation. When her arm was leaning on the sofa armrest with her eyes fixed on the monitor, suddenly, a large hand covered the screen.

Lifting her head, he, dressed in a plain white t-shirt and training pants, smiled playfully.

“Play with me.”

“I have to study.”

“How long will it take?”

His playful voice echoed slowly. Sitting next to her, Kangwoo draped one arm over Se-ah’s shoulder. Pausing the video for a moment, Se-ah carefully placed Kangwoo’s hand aside.

“It’ll take a bit. Mr. Kangwoo, if you’re bored, you can watch TV here. I’ll go inside.”

“I saw your face briefly in the morning, and now it’s only properly seeing me. Is this more important than me?”

“I have things to do. I don’t disturb Mr. Kangwoo when he works.”

“Agreed.”

Slyly, Kangwoo’s smile widened. Ignoring the twinkling eyes and shrinking black pupils, Se-ah stood up. The man’s gaze, grabbing Se-ah’s wrist, was intense.

“Don’t interfere; just stay quiet. Just let me be by your side.”

“…….”

“If watching me is annoying, you can go in. For now, just sit.”
Reluctantly, Se-ah took her seat. Like a skilled predator capturing its prey, he swiftly claimed one of Se-ah’s arms.

“Already trying to annoy me?”

“Stay calm. Just lend me your shoulder. I won’t budge an inch.”

“I’ll really stay quiet. No fidgeting. It’ll take about 40 more minutes.”

“I’ll even be careful with my breathing, I promise.”

As Kangwoo matched the rhythm, he plugged the earphone into Se-ah’s ear. Suppressing a laugh, Se-ah pressed the play button.

Before long, black hair brushed against Se-ah’s shoulder. She resisted the urge to run her fingers through the man’s hair, which faintly carried the same shampoo scent.

Kangwoo stayed true to his promise, not moving an inch. Feeling a pleasant flutter and comfort, Se-ah focused on the online lecture.

When the lecture ended and she removed the earphones, only Kangwoo’s breath could be heard. Looking at him, who truly stayed still, two conflicting feelings crossed Se-ah’s mind. Grateful that he followed her request, yet wondering how this man could easily fall asleep like this.

Glistening under well-dried black hair, she hesitated to touch it now.

“Your scent at four is so good.”

A voice that seemed half-awake softly echoed. Leaning over Se-ah’s sturdy body, Kangwoo pulled her closer. This time, Se-ah leaned against Kangwoo’s shoulder.

“Did you wake up? Let’s go inside and sleep. You seem very tired. By the way, did you eat?”

“You’re asking early.”

“I forgot because there was no sign earlier. And since it was so late, I wondered if you ate….”

“You didn’t ask, so it’s mutual.”

“…Well, Kangwoo didn’t ask either.”

Tsk. The light teasing tone was cute, and Kangwoo’s lips curved.

“What did you eat? Did you have something delicious?”

“Yes. Today, there was seafood hot pot, and also, what else was there? Japchae, and dumplings….”

Matching the chatter, Kangwoo nodded his head. Casually reaching out, he cleared the laptop placed on Se-ah’s thin thigh and pressed the sofa lever.

As they reclined, Se-ah’s body sank further into his embrace. Even while looking at the mischievous Se-ah, there was no pity.

Bringing one straight leg and placing it over Kangwoo’s thigh, they adjusted their positions comfortably and lay facing each other.

Tap, Kangwoo’s long fingers brushed Se-ah’s lips, and their lips met. Gradually shifting positions, their bodies reversed, and Kangwoo took the upper hand.

Se-ah’s hand slid under Kangwoo’s shirt. To make it easier to undress, Kangwoo lowered his head, and the white plain t-shirt, now only loosely covering one of Kangwoo’s wrists, slipped off.

“Quite proactive today.”

“I’m embarrassed… I’m trying.”

Kangwoo found the remote and turned off the living room sensor lights. Delving into the exposed neck, he bit gently to avoid causing pain.

“It becomes easier in the dark.”

Se-ah’s breath, scent, and voice. Somewhere, was there a sedative left open?
On a day with no lies, he embraced her.

⭐⭐⭐

Cheongdam-dong main house.

In the bedroom, two beds were spaced far apart. Among them, Hyun-suk waited for Nam-tae with her fist clenched on one bed. After G-Coms lady left, there was an inexplicable sense of awkwardness.

Nam-tae wasn’t the type to casually invite people into his house without any gain. Especially when it was someone he needed to impress.

Even if it was the chairman, that’s understandable, but why invite the young Min-young, who hasn’t been confirmed as the successor yet? He even invited her for lunch when he was in the hospital.

Without a word, the bedroom door opened, and Nam-tae entered. He immediately went to the bed and lay down, not uttering a word or giving a single glance. It was as if Hyun-suk didn’t exist in the room.

Hyun-suk sat on the edge of Nam-tae’s bed. Despite the shock he must have felt, Nam-tae didn’t open his eyes.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

“I’m tired.”

Hyun-suk looked at her husband, who rudely turned away. He was a man who only showed his back, except when she needed him.

Despite giving up and getting used to it, it still didn’t feel good every time. No, just looking at the man in those tattered silk pajamas made her angry.

Still, taking a deep breath, she pleaded as gently as possible.

“I have something I’m curious about, so just for a moment, please.”

“…….”

After a prolonged period of continued ignorance, Hyun-suk took action and lifted the blanket. Only then did Nam-tae sit up, his irritated eyes gleaming.

“Are you still in menopause? What is this nonsense?”

“Yes. I’m 52, so it must be menopause. Don’t worry; I have no intention of seeking comfort from you. I just have something to say, so please get up.”

Unable to contain his anger, Nam-tae soon showed a smile filled with contempt.

“Go ahead, then.”

“Why does the wife of G-Coms keep inviting you? My older sister said you’ve been meeting a lot of people lately. Is it true, even when you’re still in the hospital, they invited you to lunch?”

Nam-tae chuckled.

“Do you have to report everything to you when there are only a few people to meet in the political circle? Am I supposed to report that to you too?”
“I’m worried that it might get involved in something bad. Especially at times like this, the media pays unusually close attention.”

Nam-tae chuckled.

“A guy without a family and children in the in-laws’ house should at least see his son. If you can’t help, just stay quiet.”

“Even if that’s true, Kang-woo is our son. Why are you so stingy with your own child? You’re his father.”

“That kid doesn’t know how terrifying a father can be, so he’s crawling around! Bringing some insignificant woman as a marriage partner, really.”

“Hey!”

She knew it was embarrassing, but Hyun-suk was taken aback by the openly disdainful remarks.

“Even if it’s Sa-ah now, she’s our child. Maybe Sa-ah hasn’t had a child yet, so you’re disappointed, but… anyway…”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Do you think I want to talk to you? I don’t need a grandchild born from that kid.”

“How can you say such a thing?”

Nam-tae’s eyes, shining with nothing but lust, flashed.

“Why I called the wife of G-Coms will be clear soon. Anyway, as a parent who loves his child, you should be grateful. Just stay quiet.”